Ramsbottom teachers' pride in Kieran Trippier

Ramsbottom teachers' pride in Kieran Trippier

TWO of Kieran Trippier’s former teachers in Ramsbottom have spoken of their pride over the prospect of seeing the former Claret represent his country at the World Cup.

The full-back, who hails from Summerseat, is expected to play an important part in Russia after being included in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man England squad.

And should Trippier be selected for the Three Lions' World Cup opener against Tunisia on Monday, as is expected, it will be an especially proud moment for his former teachers at Holcombe Brook Primary School and Woodhey High School, where he attended before embarking on a career as a professional footballer.

Graham Howarth and Lee Garcka have both witnessed Trippier's from a promising schoolboy footballer to an international star set to represent his country on the grandest stage of all.

Mr Howarth, who was headteacher at Holcombe Brook from 1997 to 2011, said: “Kieran was a nice lad. He was just a normal kid who worked hard and was no trouble. The school had a good team at the time, but he stood out from all the other kids.“

There is one moment of brilliance in particular that remains etched to the mind of his former teacher - a spectacular long-distance goal that helped secure the school the Bury Cup.

“He scored this fantastic goal from the half way line,” said Mr Howarth. “He saw the keeper off his line and just lobbed it over him.

“He always saw what was happening all across the field and had great positional sense. I have followed his career since and it makes me very proud to have had Kieran at Holcombe Brook. I think some people are fed up of me telling them about it!

"I am sure all football fans from Bury send their best wishes to Kieran and his fellow squad members for a successful campaign.”

After leaving Holcombe Brook in 2002, Trippier moved on to Woodhey where he helped the school lift the Bury Cup twice and Greater Manchester Trophy once, while also being spotted by Manchester City's academy.

Upon leaving school in 2007, he joined City’s youth team, but has returned to the school several times over the years.

His dream of breaking into the first team was not to be, so Trippier moved to Burnley. His performances at Turf Moor were rewarded with a move to Tottenham, where he has since made his mark alongside several other England stars.

After making his full international debut against France last summer, he now has seven caps, and will be confident of building on that over the coming month.

Trippier’s former PE teacher at Woodhey, Lee Garcka, is adamant that the 27-year-old has the ability to perform on the big stage.

He said: “The one thing that always strikes me about Kieran is that he has always been successful every time he has stepped up a level in his career.

“I feel very confident he will continue to do so because he is a great lad who is very humble, with a tremendous attitude towards his profession.

“Everyone at school who remembers Kieran is delighted for him, and we are all hoping that he can have a great tournament and do well with England."

Trippier will certainly have plenty of backing in Summerseat, where dad Chris has already pledged to raise a super-size St George's Cross from a 20ft pole in his back garden.

The full-back’s family has also been known to put up a big screen outside their house and invite neighbours to join them in watching England to play in the past.

It will be one hell of a party if The Three Lions go all the way this summer.

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